“Old” Men and the Sea

In the late afternoon when most septuagenarians head to restaurants for early bird specials, Ed Engel, 71, and Joe Mullen, 76, are more likely landing their kayaks on the beach, riding the final wave of their weekly “out of sight” trip, which involves paddling into the Gulf of Mexico until they can no longer see the condos of southwest Florida. People of any age could get exhausted simply reading about the treks and trials of these kayak veterans.

Ed and Joe have been best friends for eight years. Together, they have completed the WaterTribe Challenge, a 300-mile unsupported race from Tampa Bay to Key Largo, four times. Having organized and guided several Baja tours, they returned to the Sea of Cortez last fall for a challenging circumnavigation of Guardian Angel Island. They’ve paddled the Maine Island Trail and the St. Lawrence Seaway (during a journey from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain). They have wetted hulls from the Gulf of Alaska to the Sea of the Hebrides. Having already paddled the Inner Hebrides, they will return for five weeks to paddle the Outer Hebrides this summer and then follow the Caledonian Canal system across Scotland, passing through Loch Ness.

Though paddling about 200 days a year sets this pair apart from most retirees, Ed and Joe have a typical Florida lifestyle. Ed traded New Jersey suburbs for a bungalow on an island only accessible by boat. (When he misses the last ferry, he paddles home.) When not paddling, he plays tennis. Joe frequents the greens, having moved to a golf course community from Maine.

COMPANIONSHIP, WANDERLUST, AND A SENSE OF PLAY

A retired engineer, Ed tinkers constantly. He holds a patent on a kit boat he designed and produced in his backyard, and he teaches Greenland paddle making. He builds skin-on-frame kayaks out of PVC pipe and blue plastic tarps. Joe’s enthusiasm makes him the social director. On trips, he arranges nightly wine and cheese.

Their grandfatherly style has made Ed and Joe popular kayak guides and instructors. Both ACA-certified, they have inspired hundreds of students. Their outgoing nature has led as easily to worldwide friendships as it has to the rescue of complete strangers.

What drives these guys? Companionship, wanderlust and a sense of play that come with second childhood. They tease each other incessantly and throw back cold ones with thirtysomethings at the take-out. They volunteer as students or victims during BCU and ACA training sessions, hamming it up like Academy Award candidates.

These chronologically gifted chums seem to have uncorked a fountain of youth whose secret ingredients are kayaking, relationships and adventure. And a positive attitude doesn’t hurt. When asked what injuries plague them, they recite the golden rule that pushes them across the nautical miles: No whining! 

This article first appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of Adventure Kayak Magazine. For more great content, subscribe to Adventure Kayak’s print and digital editions here.